HOW TO BECOME A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN OKLAHOMA
Careers for pharmacy technicians are growing around the country. Opportunities are available in cities, suburbs, small towns, and rural areas because all pharmacies need techs to keep things running smoothly and to help patients. Technicians take inventory, handle phone calls, take payments, process claims, and package medications. [Leer en español]
In Oklahoma, you are not required to complete a postsecondary educational program to become a pharmacy technician. You only have to be registered with the state and be willing to receive on-the-job training from a licensed pharmacist.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACY TECHS IN OKLAHOMA
The requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician in Oklahoma are easy to achieve and are set by the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy (OSBP). You must have finished high school or earned a GED, have good moral character and be physically and mentally capable of doing the job.
You must apply for a pharmacy technician permit through the OSBP to work as a tech. To qualify for a permit, you have to complete on-the-job training at a licensed pharmacy. This means it is up to you to find a pharmacy and pharmacist willing to take you on for training.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA
| Programme | City | PTCB credential | ASHP accredited | Federal programme data | Programme hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian Technology Center Pharmacy Technician Program | Stillwater | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Tulsa Tech Full-time Pharmacy Technician Program | Tulsa | CPhT, CSPT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Central Technology Center | Drumright | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center | Oklahoma City | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Great Plains Technology Center | Lawton | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Indian Capital Technology Center | Muskogee | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Metro Technology Centers | Oklahoma City | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Northeastern State University | Tahlequah | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Oklahoma City Community College | Oklahoma City | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology TANF Education | Okmulgee | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal TANF – MCN Tribal TANF | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Tulsa Job Corps Center | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Tulsa Tech Part-Time Pharmacy Technician Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
While a formal education is not required to become a pharmacy tech in the state, you may want to complete a post-secondary program for a few reasons. It will give you some basic background knowledge to help you do the job better and be ready for training on the job. A good program will also make you more appealing to employers and give you an advantage over other candidates. Here are some pharmacy technician programs options in Oklahoma:
- Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City. This program meets twice a week in the evenings for about two months and costs just $700. The cost includes three textbooks and 50 instructional hours. You must have a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Tulsa Community College, Tulsa. In Tulsa, you can complete this program to earn a certificate in pharmacy technology. The coursework includes traditional classroom learning as well as hands-on technical training. This program admits high school students who are at least 18 years old and who have only three credits left to complete.
- Meridian Technology Center, Stillwater. Both high school seniors and adults can enroll in this Stillwater program. It is more involved than other programs and includes 600 hours of instruction. Tuition is $1,800.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION IN OKLAHOMA
Certification is not required in Oklahoma, but you may want to show that you have the knowledge to do the job by applying for and receiving national pharmacy technician certification. There are two widely-accepted options: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination offered through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Examination for Certification as Pharmacy Technician through the National Healthcareer Association. Each exam costs a little over $100.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION BOARD
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board is the leading certifying organization for pharmacy technicians in Oklahoma. It offers a voluntary certification exam that tests your knowledge and practical skills as a pharmacy technician. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as pharmaceutical calculations, drug names, pharmacy laws and regulations, patient safety, and dosage forms. Once you pass the exam, you will be awarded the Certified Pharmacy Technician certification. You must renew your certification every two years by completing continuing education and paying a renewal fee.
SALARY EXPECTATIONS AND CAREER OUTLOOK
The median pharmacy technician in Oklahoma earns $40,500 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn between $37,010 and $46,750; the lowest tenth earn under $34,780 and the top tenth above $50,930. Oklahoma employs about 5,500 pharmacy technicians.
What that is worth where you live. Prices in Oklahoma run at 87.8% of the national average (2024, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities), so $40,500 here buys what $46,105 would buy in an average-cost part of the country. Measured that way Oklahoma ranks 28 of 51 states for pharmacy technician pay, better than its headline wage suggests because living costs are below average.
Pharmacy technician employment in Oklahoma is projected to grow 6% between 2024 and 2034, from about 5,120 jobs to 5,430 (Projections Central state projections). That is roughly 510 openings a year, a figure that counts people leaving the occupation as well as new posts, so it is the better guide to how often jobs come up.
Nationally the occupation is projected to grow 6.4% over the same period (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), so Oklahoma is close to the national rate.
WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies throughout the state, under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. aaaa1aThere are pharmacies everywhere, although you will find more opportunities in denser population centers around Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, and Lawton. Look for jobs in grocery stores and drug stores, hospitals, nursing homes, and other residential care facilities.
FAQS
What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Oklahoma?
- Mid-Del Technology Center, Midwest City
- Meridian Technology Center, Stillwater
- Pioneer Technology Center, Ponca City
- Tulsa Community College, Tulsa
- Platt College, Tulsa
How do you become a pharmacy technician in Oklahoma?
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass a criminal record check
- Apply for a pharmacy technician permit through the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy (OSBP)
- Complete on-the-job training at a licensed pharmacy
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Oklahoma?
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College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Pharmacy Technician programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
High Plains Technology CenterWoodward, OK(580) 256-66183921 34th St332 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education | Public | priced per program | $5,713 to $10,207by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Meridian Technology CenterStillwater, OK(405) 377-33331312 South Sangre Road896 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education | Public | priced per program | not published |
|
Pioneer Technology CenterPonca City, OK(580) 762-83362101 N Ash410 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education | Public | priced per program | not published |
|
Tulsa Technology CenterTulsa, OK(918) 828-50003420 S Memorial Drive4,031 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education | Public | priced per program | $8,095 to $8,778by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.
OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS
See options in the neighboring states of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri.